Changes

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}

{{use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}

[[File:Badnjak-Beograd.jpg|thumb|300px|A [[Serbia|Serbian]] Orthodox priest places the badnjak on a fire during a Christmas Eve celebration at the Temple of Saint Sava in [[Belgrade]].]]

[[File:Jonathan G Meath portrays Santa Claus.jpg|thumb|upright|Santa Claus also known as Father Christmas portrayed by [[Jonathan Meath]] in 2010]]

 

'''Christmas''' (which means "The Mass of Christ") is a Christian [[holiday]] that refers to the birth of Jesus (whom Christians believe is the Son of God), and a [[culture|cultural]] holiday for non-Christians.

'''Christmas''' (which means "The Mass of Christ") is a Christian [[holiday]] that refers to the birth of Jesus (whom Christians believe is the Son of God), and a [[culture|cultural]] holiday for non-Christians.

==== Tree and decorations ====

==== Tree and decorations ====

{{main|Christmas decorations}}

{{main|Christmas decorations}}

[[File:Juletræet.jpg|thumb|A traditional Christmas tree]]

[[File:ATC Christmas Tree.JPG|thumb|right|A Christmas tree in [[Armenia]]]]

In most homes when Christmas is celebrated, people set up a [[Christmas tree]] in the house. This old Yuletide custom began in Germany as the "Tannenbaum" (German for ''Fir Tree''). These are traditionally [[evergreen]]s, the best type being the Fir Tree which does not shed its needles or lose its [[Odor|fragrance]]. The tree may be a cut tree that is bought from a plantation or taken from the forest. Artificial trees are sometimes preferred to real trees. The Christmas tree is decorated with lights, shiny coloured balls, sparkly tinsel and other ornaments. A wreath of leaves or pine is often put on the front door of a house as a sign of welcome. Other plants that have special significance at Christmas are holly which is used as decoration and [[mistletoe]] which is hung in the centre of a room. The tradition is that people who meet under the mistletoe must kiss.

In most homes when Christmas is celebrated, people set up a [[Christmas tree]] in the house. This old Yuletide custom began in Germany as the "Tannenbaum" (German for ''Fir Tree''). These are traditionally [[evergreen]]s, the best type being the Fir Tree which does not shed its needles or lose its [[Odor|fragrance]]. The tree may be a cut tree that is bought from a plantation or taken from the forest. Artificial trees are sometimes preferred to real trees. The Christmas tree is decorated with lights, shiny coloured balls, sparkly tinsel and other ornaments. A wreath of leaves or pine is often put on the front door of a house as a sign of welcome. Other plants that have special significance at Christmas are holly which is used as decoration and [[mistletoe]] which is hung in the centre of a room. The tradition is that people who meet under the mistletoe must kiss.

{{Canada Holidays}}

{{Canada Holidays}}

{{Public holidays in the United Kingdom}}

{{Public holidays in the United Kingdom}}

[[Category:Christmas]]

[[Category:Christmas]]